The San Francisco 49ers had quite a bit of roster turnover during the 2025 offseason. Starters or players who played a meaningful role in 2024 that were no longer on the roster come training camp:
Deebo Samuel
Aaron Banks
Jordan Mason
Maliek Collins
Javon Hargrave
Leonard Floyd
Dre Greenlaw
De’Vondre Campbell
Charvarius Ward
Talanoa Hufanga
That isn’t an insignificant list. It goes without saying that some contributors were easily replaceable, while others weren’t brought back for financial reasons.
In hindsight, not wanting to pay Mason a two-year deal worth $10.5 million with only $4 million guaranteed—his deal with the Minnesota Vikings—was one the 49ers could have made. But it’s easier to say now after the Niners RB2 production was minimal.
Mason had injury concerns last season in his first year of extended action, which was a red flag. He ended up averaging 4.8 yards per carry and scoring six touchdowns with the Vikings.
Pivoting from pass-rush-first players to a run-first mindset made sense in theory, but then injuries happened. So, of course, the Niners could have used the 6.5 sacks and 29 pressures from Collins, but they also didn’t anticipate losing Nick Bosa or Mykel Williams to season-ending injuries.
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Mykel was supposed to be the interior pass rush threat alongside Bosa and Bryce Huff, with that fourth rusher rotating inside. One year later, the 49ers are back to needing interior pass-rush help, and maybe more, since Huff’s contract expires after the 2026 season.
If only the 49ers could have predicted that Chase Young would turn into the dominant player he was in 2025. Funny how that works out.
My answer: Speaking of predicting, my answer is at the position the 49ers needed the most help this season. The 49ers just went two seasons in a row in which Hufanga played 17 games. The year prior, Hufanga was an All-Pro in 2022. He was all over the place, had four interceptions, six tackles for loss, and looked like a star. Guess what happened in 2025? Naturally, Hufanga stayed healthy, played every game, doubled his career-high in pass breakups, had the most tackles for loss and tackles, and was named an All-Pro.
Hindsight strikes again, but looking back, Hufanga’s guaranteed salary in 2025 was only $1.5 million with a $4 million cap hit. His contract was structured as a “prove it” year in 2025. Sure enough, Hufanga proved it while the 49ers couldn’t have gotten worse safety play from his replacements.
Watching the Broncos this past season and seeing Hufanga take away throws and get into throwing lanes as if he knew what concept was coming was night and day from what San Francisco put out there. This offseason, it’s time for John Lynch to find his John Lynch. He had one in Hufanga, but the injuries forced the 49ers to look elsewhere.
What is your answer? Scroll down and let us know in the comments.
About the Author: Insidethe49
